Let The Car Customer Beware

Is this car safe to be on the highway?

Because of a safety recall, I had our 2012 vehicle's air bag replaced free of charge at a local dealer's Friday. While there they conveniently did a "safety check" on the car and reported that its front brake pads had only 1 mm. of wear left and should be replaced (in the interest of our safety, of course) even though I had just had the car inspected a week before. This repair would cost me a mere $250.95, they said, which included replacing and machining the rotors. 

 The car's battery terminal was also corroded, they informed me, and should be cleaned and replaced, for another $104.52, with an extra $34.63 for "battery service". Also, the cabin air filter needed to be replaced (supposedly for our health's sake) at $47.50, as well as the engine's air filter, which would be another $36.99. Along with all that, there would be "shop charges" totaling $35.

 I politely declined, suspecting I would be better off getting a second opinion from my friend Chuck Cave, a trusted mechanic who owns Chandi's Service Center along Rt. 42 near our house. Needless to say, this proved to be a very wise move. 

That same day Chuck changed the oil ($49.99 with the best synthetic oil) and the cabin air filter ($25.46), plus cleaned the battery terminal ($10) and checked the brake pads, all for a grand total of $94.71, including labor. He assured me the brake pads were actually fine, and had at least 4 mm. of wear left.

Total savings? Over $600, with an oil change thrown in for good measure, something that in itself would have cost me over $80 at the dealer. 

Caveat emptor. 

By the way, while Chuck is working on your car, or any time, you can enjoy some great home cooked food prepared by his good wife Sandi at their little Cafe in the same building, right across the highway from the Dairy Queen in Harmony Square (formerly Sonny's Service Center). 

Their phone number is 209-0088.